Our Focus Areas

October 12, 2023

Strategies for Asian business navigating a new era

A collaborative article by the Asia Business Council and McKinsey delved into the perspectives of business leaders in Asia as they navigate an emerging and potentially more turbulent era, in terms of world order, technology, demographics, resource and energy systems, and financial capitalization. Overall, they believe the region can sustain its growth but will need strategic adjustments to address disruptions and volatility in a multipolar world.

December 20, 2023

In a more divided world, ‘superconnector’ Hong Kong must get creative

In a more competitive world with multiple economic hubs, the once-dominant influence of East-West superconnectors is waning. Hong Kong must capitalise on the Greater Bay Area, Belt and Road Initiative and focus on ‘sweet spot’ sectors where China and other regions seek better cooperation.

November 22, 2023

To overtake China in the EV market, the US needs to step hard on the accelerator

Washington should double down on combining policy support, financial incentives and advances in technology, to reduce its reliance on China-sourced material. As it strives to build a home-grown supply chain, investing in Canada’s critical minerals could be a game-changer.

November 17, 2023

Asia Business Council Annual Survey 2023

The Asia Business Council conducted its annual survey of members in July 2023. Nearly half of the respondents show a growing optimism about business conditions in the upcoming year, anticipating Asian economies will continue to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, economic challenges are at the forefront of their minds, with concerns about inflation, followed

October 17, 2023

US-China decoupling: inward turn could undo gains made in ‘de-risking’ efforts

For all the talk of the benefits reshoring and ‘de-risking’ can bring domestic workers, they also introduce new risks to people’s way of life. Neither the US nor China can afford to ignore these new risks, including limited job creation, expensive subsidies and greater material costs.

September 19, 2023

Sweet smell of Vietnam’s durian export success shows China’s regional influence cannot be ignored

The US is turning to Vietnam in its attempts to diversify supply chains and curb China’s regional influence, but that is easier said than done. Vietnam’s booming durian exports are just one example of its close economic dependence on China, complicating US ‘friendshoring’ efforts.

July 18, 2023

Asia’s ‘thriving tiger’ economies have a chance to be trailblazers in a world disrupted by geopolitics and tech

Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan have managed to hold their own against developed economies in other regions for decades. However, amid geopolitical fragmentation, game-changing technological advancements and social divisions, they need to adapt quickly.

June 22, 2023

How to upgrade Asean’s infrastructure as more global businesses turn to the region

From electricity to public transport and logistics, more inter-regional cooperation and investment is needed, as well as innovation. Hong Kong can both serve as a conduit for mainland Chinese investment into Southeast Asia and provide sustainability finance expertise.

May 16, 2023

Amid slower growth, Hong Kong’s economy must change alongside mainland China

Hong Kong has long been a service-based economy reliant on finance, tourism, trade logistics and professional services. But as the Chinese economy shifts towards domestic consumption, Hong Kong must change too, to maintain healthy economic and job growth.

July 7, 2022

Statement on Climate Action and Sustainable Growth

At the COP27 meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, climate negotiators laid out a plan to implement the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The private sector must play a role in meeting climate targets and can build on that momentum. With this statement, Asian business leaders have committed to taking climate action and to safeguarding and managing nature sustainably.

The Council also conducted a survey (see box on the left below) to understand what drives corporate climate action in Asia, and what policies could accelerate decarbonization. See below for more on the key policy drivers we identified, and why we believe climate change should be a core part of the region’s economic growth strategy.